Coming off a winless season, Mississippi welcomed ixolabrat as its new basketball coach. Coach ixo built Boston U into a very competitive Ivy League team enjoying consistent NT/PIT bids, and is looking forward to the monumental task of competing in a BCS conference.

With not much talent or potential on the roster and only one scholarship open, coach ixo cut 6 current players in a quest to upgrade the caliber of recruit and start building bench strength. The goal was to secure 6 under appreciated freshmen who would leap at the chance to start and play right off the bat, and find one or two transfers who could add depth. Not an easy tasks with only $31k available.

The seven newcomers will all see significant playing time as four frosh and one soph will start with the other two frosh coming off the bench. The returning players will see minor time on the court, but are committed to helping the squad in whatever way they can.

The team is changing its offense and defensive schemes to a Motion Offense and Zone Defense, which are the staples of coach ixo.

Recruits

NAME

Pos.

GPA

FG%

FT%

A

SPD

REB

DE

BLK

LP

PE

BH

P

WE

ST

DU

TOT

FR - Timothy Bays

C

2.98

30

62.5

38

26

77

32

59

41

17

40

22

58

68

26

504

FR - Brandon Dillingham

SF

2.83

68.6

71.6

41

28

31

40

22

60

48

29

11

56

73

30

469

FR - Benjamin Snyder

C

3.72

70

64.2

53

31

56

41

50

67

25

27

12

62

69

47

540

SO - Adam Brown

PG

2

45.3

71.7

61

85

14

54

12

17

84

73

38

81

87

27

633

FR - Scott Laguna

PG

2.53

38.8

66

43

67

8

52

14

9

26

67

49

99

77

58

569

FR - Tommy Soltis

PG

3.06

60.2

66.5

37

68

7

30

10

13

57

65

37

44

64

48

480

FR - Wilbert Williams

SF

3.3

70

63.2

38

43

34

20

28

71

51

49

41

56

75

58

564

Coach ixo gave himself a grade of B for the initial recruiting class. Players identified were lower rated players with good work ethic and decent upside that would hopefully not attract the attention of schools that Mississippi couldn't compete with. The incomers will experience pretty good growth and all of the players should be near or above 775 as Juniors & Seniors, which should provide a somewhat more competitive squad.

Season Goals

The Rebels will be bringing a knife to a gunfight night in and out. Major playing time, learning new schemes, creating team chemistry and maximizing player potential is this season’s goal. Coach ixo has set a record of 1-26 as the immediate goal, and the administration is on board with the expectations.

Season RecapCompetitive only against the spread, the Rebels finished the season with the expected record of 1-26. The freshman all saw major growth of at least 74pts overall, with plenty of upside left. IQ's for the new offense and defense finished in the B ranges for most players, so that will help the squad perform slightly better next season also. A non-conference slate of all sim MAC teams should provide the bulk of the wins in the upcoming season as the squad expects a 10-0 non-conference record and a 1-15 conference record for a total mark of 11-16 and maybe a last four in the PIT.

Last season the Gators alumni and fans welcomed coach vamrbball (the WIS Larry Brown) to the family to replace coach vondanger. Coach vamrbball have stated several times that this is vondanger team and I am just guiding them in the right direction. The team had some great young frontcourt talent but was thin in the backcourt. The team finish with a great season and lost in the NT (2nd Rd) to a loaded Michigan St (NT Runner Up) team.

After having so much success in season 65, coach vamrbball is looking to get even more out of this season team who return all the key players from last season and an improved backcourt.

Season 66 Preview

Key Losses: (SF) Alfredo Davilla, (PF) Jack Davis

Newcomers: (PG) Floyd Hodge-Jr, (PF) Stuart Grothe - ineligible

Backcourt: Not the strongest backcourt but this group will take anything you give them. Senior Justin Haines (11.7pts, 4.0ast) will be the starting point guard and his backcourt mate will be Junior SG George Lacefield (6.1pts, 2.1ast). The backups isn't strong but solid. Sophmore Earl Stephens at shooting guard and the JR recruit Floyd Hodge who dosen't have super speed but is athletic enough with some skills to be the number two PG.

Frontcourt: Once again, the Post will be the strength during season 66 with four senior post players. (PF) Matthew Porter (12.6pts, 6.3reb) will be the starting SF. (PF) Angel Gutierrez (10.3pts, 5.3reb) will play his natural position where he can stretch the defense with his inside/outside game. Center Michael Magnum (8.8pts, 6.3reb) will control the paint. 5th yr senior (SF) William Lee (9.6pts, 2.6ast) decided to return and was happy to except his new role to play backup at the power forward position to give the team some depth. (So) Earnest Henderson will be the reserve Center and Sophomore (SG) Frankie "Magnet" Lampkin will backup the small forward position.

Who to watch:(SR) Matthew Porter is the team leader but anyone in the starting lineup is capable of having a good night and leading the team to victory.

Season Goal: Conference Championship and NT Bid (2nd Rd or better). Anything less will be disappointing to the fans in Gainesville.

The Bulldogs took their share of body blows during coach manderson first year on the job and not much more will be expected this season with the youthful team. There will be progress and more wins should come within the next two seasons.